Mizzou Football Legend Norris Stevenson Dies

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – The University of Missouri loses a pioneer in athletics. The first African-American to earn a football scholarship at Mizzou has died.

St. Louisan Norris Stevenson passed away Saturday at age 72.

Stevenson played on what some consider to be the greatest Tiger football team of all time, the 1960 Dan Devine squad that finished 10-1, but later became 11-0, due to a forfeit.

Stevenson played pro football in Canada then became a track-and-field coach at Forest Park and Florissant Valley community colleges.

Funeral services are pending.

release from Mizzou: The University of Missouri Department of Athletics was saddened to learn the news that former Tiger great Norris Stevenson had passed away early this morning in his hometown of St. Louis, Mo. The Department sends its prayers and best wishes to Mr. Stevenson’s family and loved ones in this difficult time. Mr. Stevenson was a football letterman at Mizzou from 1958-60 and was a 2001 inductee into the MU Athletics Hall of Fame.

statement from Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel: “The Mizzou family lost a great, great man in Norris Stevenson. I had such a tremendous respect for everything he accomplished, and how he carried himself, he was such a good man. I fully believe that he played a huge role in helping us get back on track in St. Louis, in terms of the perception of our program and what we’re about. He loved Mizzou, that was very clear to me, and we’re all very sad to have lost Norris. He’ll be remembered around here as a very important figure in our history.”